The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-04-27


deavor, however. to dlscredit the faithful
ness of the Republicans report of what the
Senator who had the conversation with the
President represents Mr.. Cleveland as hav-
Ing said to him. The Senator has talked
with several friends, and more than one of
those to whom he has told the story of his
interview, after reading the Republicans
special to-day, has indorsed in unqualified
terms its accurate statement of what the
Senator had previously told them.
The conversation between the Senator
and the President was turned to the matter
of denomination in a very natural way.
The two were discussing the political situ-
ton, when the Senator made remark SUBJ
stantially as follows: Mr.. President, your
administration is certainly satisfactory to
the country, and has inspired confidence.
Your denomination is assured and the
nomination means election. Then fol-
lowed the explanation by the President of
his feelings in regard to denomination.
a gentleman who has talked with the
Senator who had the interview, reports
him as saying that the President responded
at once by saying he was most pleased to
be told that the country approved his man
segment OF public affairs, since he had en-
deayored faithfully, conscientiously and
earnestly to
FULFILL ALL THE PLEDGES
to believe and know that his administra-
tion was for the whole country. and that
this was his aim and ambition. Following
this, he went on to say that when he came
to the presidency, he had made up his
mind deliberately that his record was to
be completed in the four years for which
he was elected. The Senator telling the
story to his friends. has said that the Presi-
dent went even farther than this, declar-
sr,rr coHsr d. TOT h
that he would, under no circumstances,
again be candidate. The Senator under
stood that this decision had been deliber-
etely reached and was irrsvocable. 1t is
thus probable he may have misunderstood
the President supposing him to imply
more than his words were really intended
to say. However that may be, the Senator
has told the story to more than one per-
son Just as it was given to the Republican.
He of course reported the President only
as he remembered him to have spoken. If
it was a case of misunderstanding, the
Senator was entirely honest in his i'm
pressions of what the President said, and
the Republican has been minutely faithful
III relating what the Senator has said of
the conversation.
SENATOR VESTS OPINION.
The Washington Star, in an endeavor to
identify the Senator who had the conver-
sation with the President, sent its report
eTs all over the town to-day to interview
every Senator still in the city. Among
others interviewed was Senator Vest. He
said he had read the Republicans special,
and, being asked if he had given the in
form alton upon which it was based, he
said: II have never authorized any state.
ment such as that you mention, and as
published this morning. If YOU want my
opinion on the matter, | have no hesitation
in stating that / believe the facts to be
about as stated in the reported interview.
don't believe the President wants to be
reelected. He has publicly stated that he
does not believe in second terms, and
have no idea he was actuated by
any ambition to succeed himself,
but / think his great ambition is to so ad-
minister the government that any honest
Democrat can be his successor. have no
doubt that Mr.. Cleveland would be gratifed
by the indorss ment of his party and the
country. He would be more or less than
human if this were not so, but | don't
think he wants the office again for any
personal ambition. he knows too much
about it. What he would do if the Demo-
cratic party should say to him that he was
the only man who could lead them again
to victory nobody knows but himself, and
be is not the sort of an individual who
jumps a ditch before ne reaches it. Under
stand me, this is only NV opinion. I am
not authorized to speak for the President
and have no such relations with him as to
justify any statement from me as to his
feelings or intentions. j am only speaking
for myself"
SENATOR CoCKRELL.
A Star reporter also saw Senator Cock
rell and inquired il he was the Western
Senator who had gwen out the informa-
tion with regard to the Presidents sentI-
meBts on the subject of a denomination.
81 am not" he said. 81 knew nothing
about it until / saw the matter in this
mornings papers. The President has never
had any such conversation with me-
After making this emphatic disclaimer,
the Senator remarked: 81 think the pub
licaSon puts the President in false light,
but that is only my opinion"
EDITORIAL OPINIONS.
The Washington Critic, speaking OF the
matter, says editorially this afternoon:
I'VE are disposed to believe that it ex-
presses his sentiments accurately; that he
is fully satisfied with the burden of single
presidential term; that he is perfectly will
ing to be relieved of its weighty and weari-
some responsibilities on the 4th OF March,
1889, and that be has made up his mind
absolutely and finally not to accept a re-
nomination. Such conclusion is in &C
cord with his original declaration, and it
certainly can not be said of Mr.. Cleveland
that he has at any period, or in any act of
his administration, manifested desire or
disposition to reconsider this determine
tion.''
The Star says editorially: "It isprobably
true that the President appreciates so
keenly the restraints and annoyances Of
his official life that he can resent without
insincerity the imputation that all his
thoughts are now directed toward
schemes tor securing a renomina-
ton. The President works faithfully
and earnestly, but, it is thought, with un-
necessary friction. He wastes his energy
in drudgery over minor Details not con-
tent with the general management of a
great executive business. The result comes
that he views the Office as imprisonment
instead Of as fitting field for the enjoy
able exercise of the highest executive ca
pacity which can be developed"
A member of the Columbia Democratic
Club said to Critic reporter to-day that,
while he conceded the President had ex-
pressed the views imputed to him, yet in
his opinion these views were given out to
citing public opinion and arousing senti-
ment favorable to his reelection. He
further said: when Smith Weed, of New
York, was here couple of months ago he
gave out that letter from the President
embodyiDg substantially the views now
expressed would be published about the
1st of June, and we all considered it po-
Htical scheme to feel the public pulse, and
that is all / consider this present state
ment to be-"